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Your Comments: Pilot's alleged identity fakery 'does not say much to the value of background checks'

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A Mercy Flight helicopter takes off from the medevac service's airport in Canandaigua. John M. Dial, a pilot for Mercy Flight for the past eight months, was arrested this week on charges of flying without an airman's certification and making false statements to the FAA.
(Lauren Long | llong@syracuse.com)

A pilot who flew Mercy Flight Central helicopters for eight months under an assumed name was charged Monday with piloting a helicopter without an airman's certificate and making false statements to the Federal Aviation Administration.

FBI agents arrested John M. Dial, 57, of Los Angeles, at Mercy Flight Central's base at an airport in Marcellus on Monday. Officials said he had been flying under the name Alex Coussirat and had presented the certifications he needed to be a pilot.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Sacramento, Calif., Dial apparently knew he couldn't get an airman certification because of his criminal record. That record, officials said, included theft and forgery convictions and the use of at least 24 fake names, among other issues.

Comments came flying from syracuse.com readers in the wake of an article about Dial and the allegations against him. Here's a sampling:

From Sergeant Sarcastic: Serious question: To make a life for myself I am going to steal your identity. I am going to use your name, personal information, etc., for personal gain. Some of my conduct will be harmful to you and your finances.
Will you waive the fraud, forgery and identity theft charges?
Will you promise to minimize my conduct as easily as you have done for this man?
BTW, this man used false information and false identities numerous times over a 35-year period. Not just once (even if it were any more acceptable). Stop minimizing fraudulent conduct

From louisdega: Nice to see that 12 years after 9/11 someone is able to create a false identity and get behind the controls. Guess the feds might need another decade and $40B to get the right controls in place. God Bless the USA?

From DefendOurselves: Does not say much to the value of background checks that should require fingerprints, as they do for most sensitive work. Hard to fake the fingerprints, or the FBI database on fingerprints is not as useful as the public has been told.

From 4ENTERTAINMENTPURPOSESONLY: The man wants to fly? Let him fly!
Help wanted: At least 130 veteran military aviators for nine-year commitment to fly fighter jets.
Salary: $34,500 to $97,400. Plus good benefits and a $225,000 signing bonus -- guaranteed.
Contact: U.S. Air Force by Sept. 30.

Does this alleged incident make you worry about the state of air security? Please leave a comment below.